Somalia: Britain calls for Int'l support to stabilize Somalia

British Prime Minister Theresa May and President Uhuru Kenyatta before reviewing the guard of honour at the State House in Nairobi on August 30, 2018. PHOTO | AFP

NAIROBI, Kenya - Britain on Thursday called on the international community to do more to help the African Union mission in Somalia (AMISOM) lead the fight against al-Shabab as Mogadishu takes on greater responsibility for its own security.

Visiting British Prime Minister Theresa May in a statement issued during her visit to Kenya also pledged additional funding to support international efforts to build long-term stability in Somalia.

"Somalia is at a critical juncture and sustainable, predictable funding and support for the troops who are building stability in the region is vital to support a transition to Somali-led security when the conditions for a handover are right," she said in a statement issued during the visit.

May who announced over 9 million U.S. dollars of new UK funding to support the AU's peacekeeping mission in Somalia, said she will call on international donors to contribute more, setting out that an unstable Somalia has a knock-on effect on stability across the region and further afield.

In 2017, Britain contributed 385 million pounds towards international efforts to help the Somali people build an increasingly secure, stable and prosperous country.

May also announced more than 60 million pounds to help over a million people cope with and recover from the impact of conflict and drought.

May also announced over 25 million pounds to support Somalia as it works to establish a stable and democratic political system.

"This will include advice to help develop rules on resource and power-sharing, and to prepare for landmark elections, including through support for voter and political party registration," the statement said.

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